The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. COSLA is the voice of Local Government in Scotland since 1975. https://teapawt.net/t.co/Vrv0YXXJmh
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ALT Councillor Paul Kelly - COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Ally Boyle - Chair of Public Health Scotland, Maree Todd MSP - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs and Paul Johnston - Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland stand in front of Public Health Scotland information banners.
ALT A group discussion at a rectangular table including Councillor Paul Kelly - COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care and Maree Todd MSP - Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs.
ALT A dark purple background. Three numbered points highlight: (1) There is no clear evidence that proposed structural reforms will improve outcomes for communities; (2) The timetable is unrealistic for reform of this scale and complexity; (3) Community empowerment cannot be an afterthought. The text expands on these points further.
ALT A dark purple background. Two numbered points highlight: (4) Worthwhile reform requires objective expert advice, including from stakeholders; (5) Stability and progress on urgent priorities could be stalled by years of upheaval and distraction. The text expands on these points further.
ALT A dark purple background. Three numbered points highlight: (6) Thousands of local government workers face uncertainty; (7) The true financial costs, savings, and funding approach remain unknown; (8) The reforms could take services like social care further away from local communities, rather than closer. The text expands on these points further.
ALT A dark purple background. Two numbered points highlight: (9) The proposals leave the future of local democracy and accountability unclear; (10) Risks to community cohesion and sense of place: councils are anchors of place and have built a legacy which supports resilience and local initiative. The text expands on these points further.
ALT People talking in a group setting. The text reads "If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, support is available. #AlcoholActionDay." The Alcohol Focus Scotland logo in the top right corner.
ALT A dark purple background with portraits of Professor Nicola McEwen in a black top, Paul Johnston in a blue suit, Councillor Anthony Hunt in a grey suit and Sara Thiam in a red and black top. The title reads "COSLA Conference 2026. Driving Regional Prosperity and Inclusive Growth. 19 November. Join us." A white COSLA logo in the top right corner.
ALT COSLA blog page on a laptop titled "Towards a consistent, equal and fair approach to non-residential charging" by Ann Pike, Chair of COSLA's Non-Residential Care Charging - Lived Experience Group.
ALT Image of Scotland with text Strong Councils, Strong Communities, COSLA's budget lobbying campaign and COSLA logo
ALT Our asks in three bubbles as follows: 16.7 billion revenue, £755 million capital and £953 million to protect the affordable housing supply programme
ALT Council funding supports a wide range of everyday services in Scotland. the 26-27 scottish budget provided over 15b for local government. nearly 50% of local government expenditure goes to education and 30% to social care. council tax accounts for less than 20% of local government income with majority coming from SG funding.
ALT Graphic outlining what councils across scotland deliver including schools, teachers, swimming pools, housing, roads, emergency support and care.
ALT In response to financial pressure, since 2010-11, local gov has made around £5b in savings. instead of delivering more services, council tax has been used to substitute for an insufficient settlement.
ALT Local government faces acute immediate financial pressures that must be met by an increased settlement and cannot be met by standard structural reform. Outlines an estimated £529m gap in 2026-27 and some other statistics.
ALT Our asks: respect discretion to set council tax rates locally; multi year funding arrangements; reduced ringfenced and directed funding.
ALT Photo of Cllr Kelly Parry against purple background with text: "the choice is clear: either we invest in local services or we accept their decline. communities across Scotland deserve better."
ALT Councillor Paul Kelly in a black suit and red tie with the text "COSLA's Health and Social Care Board met this morning to discuss Local Government's own vision for social care." A white COSLA logo in the top right corner.
ALT A dark purple background with the text "Today's meeting of the Health and Social Care Board outlined COSLA has its own vision for social care, centred on local democratic accountability, partnership working, and ensuring services are designed around the needs of communities. We are now discussing these proposals with the Scottish Government." Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson.
ALT The Scottish Parliament with the title "Tackling Poverty Through Public Service Reform. How an outcomes-based Public Service Reform Programme could accelerate work to reduce poverty in Scotland." A white COSLA logo in the top right corner.
ALT A purple floral background with the title "Building upon local successes." Three paragraphs highlight the clear evidence of local innovation, increasingly sophisticated use of data and close partnership working. Images of a lightbulb, a graph and hands holding jigsaw pieces accompany the text.
ALT A purple background with the title "We know more has to be done". Three bullet points note that: despite a slight fall in the overall poverty rate, progress remains tentative and fragile; on current forecasts, child poverty targets will be missed; poverty remains entrenched in priority groups. A purple pie chart shows this includes "47% of children in minority ethnic families growing up in poverty."
ALT A purple brick wall with the title "Outcomes-based public service reform". Three paragraphs note: we must accelerate work to tackle poverty; this will require a fully funded Local Government, building on local success; and public service reform must put outcomes first, learning from those who deliver services. Three images of an increasing graph, two people helping each other up and three people in a group accompany the text.
ALT A light purple background with portraits of Councillor Aengus O'Rourke - wearing a grey suit and white shirt - and Tommy Moylan - wearing a blue suit, white shirt and striped tie - from the Association of Irish Local Government. The text reads "COSLA Conference 2026. Perspective from Local Government in Ireland. 19 November." A dark purple COSLA logo in the top right corner.
ALT Group of nine adults including Paul kelly standing indoors at a community event promoting Healthy n Happy in Scotland.
ALT "Every suicide is a tragedy that has a profound impact on families, friends, and communities. Today, our thoughts are with everyone affected by suicide. Suicide prevention is everyone's business, and we all have a role to play. COSLA and the Scottish Government are determined to deliver on our national suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together which aims to reduce suicide while addressing the wider factors that can increase suicide risk.”
